Page 113 of Bite of Sin

“Fine, whatever,” Garrett snapped. “Where’s Kali?”

“Out for a walk,” Warner answered. “She should be back soon. Why?”

There was a long pause before Garrett spoke again. “We need her. The vampire liked her. We can use that.”

The hair on the back of my neck prickled. Whatever Garrett had planned involved me, and I had a feeling he wasn’t going to give me a choice.

“Use that how?” Warner questioned sharply.

“You swore your life to the Clovers,” a new voice spoke, and I stilled, wondering how many people had come with Garrett. “Would you choose to protect her over doing what we need?”

“Protect her from what?” Warner shot back. “From you? The Clovers? She didn’t do anything.”

Garrett chuckled darkly. “That’s where you’re wrong. She let the vamp feed from her. And kept it a secret. She’s not on our side anymore. She’ll be used as a way to draw the vampire out. That’s it.”

If I wasn’t pressed between Zan and the wall, I would have fallen to my knees. Panic swelled inside me, my breaths coming out fast as I comprehended Garrett’s words. They wouldn’t turn on me. Would they? I’d done everything for them. I’d risked my life to get them that note when I was stuck in Zan’s city.

“She would never turn against us,” Warner practically shouted. “What the fuck are you thinking, Garrett? I want to talk to Tim.”

“Tim signed off on this. Every single one of us lives and dies for the Clovers. I’m not risking my life for a girl who is soft for vampires. She’s done.”

Tears slid down my cheeks, and I didn’t move a muscle when Zan’s hand landed on my hip.He knew. This was why he wanted me to listen. I didn’t have my city anymore. And now I didn’t have the Clovers.

“I told you this was a bad idea,” the guy grumbled. “Look at him. He won’t go along with this.”

“I can see that now,” Garrett agreed. “I thought we could give him a chance.”

“You’re wrong,” Warner snarled. “About Kali.”

“It doesn’t really matter,” Garrett replied casually. “You and your friend won’t be leaving this cabin. Tim wanted you to choose us, but clearly, he didn’t know how lovesick you are for that girl.”

“She’s my family.”

“You’ll be dead before she gets back.”

Chapter42

Kali

Fear washed through me, and I pushed back against Zan, ready to do whatever I needed to get to Warner. But Zan was already moving, ripping open the door and striding out. I quickly rushed after him, my eyes widening at the unfolding chaos.

Pax was racing in from the front door, going after the two guys Garrett had come with. Warner was still sitting at the table, looking unsure, and when he spotted me, he jerked his head to the door, silently telling me to run. I shook my head. I wasn’t fucking leaving him here. Viggo was fighting with Garrett, and I stumbled to a halt when Viggo ripped the hawthorn bracelet off Garrett’s wrist.

“Shit,” Garrett hissed in panic.

He spun around, sprinting for the door, only to slam into Zan. His hand went to Garrett’s throat, and he squeezed until Garrett was choking out small breaths.

“Wearing hawthorn is so dangerous,” Viggo mocked, tossing the bracelet onto the table. “I guess you shouldn’t have used your supply on my brother.”

“Calm down,” Zan said in a low voice, staring at Garrett. “You’re going to stand here and answer my questions. Understand?”

Garrett’s eyes stayed trained on Zan’s as he fell under entrancement. “Yes.”

I tore my eyes from Zan to see Pax wrestling a stake away from one of the men. He didn’t hesitate. He spun the wood in his hand before stabbing the guy in the stomach. Viggo was already on the other man, slamming him into the wall before sinking his fangs into the guy’s throat. Screaming filled the cabin, and Warner flew to his feet, getting to me while Viggo was still ripping the guy’s throat out.

“Out the window,” Warner breathed out, grabbing my arm to pull me toward the bedroom. “Come on.”

I wasn’t sure how he expected us to outrun three vampires who could walk in the sun, but I let him push me back toward the bedroom until fingers wrapped around my other arm, yanking me back.